A new novel single-layer encapsulation technology used as a moisture barrier for OLED displays and lights has been developed by Universal Display and Princeton University.

The hybrid organic-inorganic layer approach has been demonstrated successfully as an encapsulant for flexible and rigid OLED displays and lighting panels.

The encapsulation layer provides an effective permeation barrier to protect thin-film devices from environmental conditions, such as moisture and oxygen, which is critical for the long-term performance of OLED displays and lighting products.

Using environmentally-benign and non-toxic materials in a potentially low-cost process, the barrier film technology may also be well suited for high-performance plastic substrate systems and other thin-film devices, such as photovoltaics and batteries.

"A single, hybrid organic-inorganic layer is applied using a cost-effective process. This film creates a very strong permeation barrier to address the strict packaging requirements of these devices. In addition to providing benefit for OLED and other thin-film products in the market today, this approach may also accelerate the commercialization of emerging flexible OLED displays and lighting products, as well as the plastic substrate systems that are used to produce them," said Steven V. Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Display in a recent announcement.

Universal Display has been working with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Flexible Display Center (FDC) at Arizona State University to demonstrate the technology's effectiveness for flexible OLED display prototypes based on their phosphorescent and other OLED technologies and the FDC's flexible backplane technologies.